Misao is the bride of demon prophecy, and marrying her will bring her childhood friend Kyo, leader of the Tengu clan, prosperity. Misao is drawn to Kyo, but she resists this arrangement because she can’t be sure whether Kyo actually loves her for herself or because of the benefits she could bring him. The answer to this question arrives in the form of Kyo’s eight vassals, a … [Read more...] about Black Bird 2 by Kanoko Sakurakoji: B-
Shojo Beat
High School Debut 12 by Kazune Kawahara: B
It’s Yoh’s birthday and Haruna has arranged for them to take an overnight trip together. Originally ignorant of the implications but now armed with information about what boys typically expect in such situations, she has endeavored to prepare herself as much as possible but suffers second thoughts as the big moment approaches. Later, Yoh’s sister throws a hissy fit about his … [Read more...] about High School Debut 12 by Kazune Kawahara: B
Honey Hunt 3 by Miki Aihara: B+
After being deserted by her celebrity parents, Yura Onozuka decides to best her mother at her own game: acting. After bombing several auditions, she’s landed the lead role in a commercial with a TV series tie-in and, after struggling through the first table read, manages to go back in and nail it thanks to the efforts of her friends Q-ta and Haruka Minamitani, a pair of … [Read more...] about Honey Hunt 3 by Miki Aihara: B+
Honey Hunt 1-2 by Miki Aihara: B+
It's not easy being the daughter of famous parents, as Yura Onozuka well knows. Her mother's a sought-after actress and her father a renowned composer, and people are always expecting Yura to have that special celebrity air. She walks a tightrope at school, trying to appear neither aloof nor smug, and the only person who really sees her for herself is her childhood friend, … [Read more...] about Honey Hunt 1-2 by Miki Aihara: B+
Vampire Knight 8 by Matsuri Hino: B
Have you ever seen anyone claim, in defense of Vampire Knight, “It gets better! Wait until you get to chapter 35!”? Well, it turns out that they’re half right. Chapter 35 is a game-changer, with the full details of Yuki’s forgotten past coming to light along with unexpected revelations and their attendant complications. I found part of what occurs easy to predict, given the … [Read more...] about Vampire Knight 8 by Matsuri Hino: B